Gadgets for Dubai » ROBOTS

Robot Hand Can Sense Objects Before Touching Them

manna — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:25:00 +0000

Over at Intel’s R&D fair, Wired got to play with a robot hand that is able to sense an object it’s about to come in contact with before actually touching it. Using electrolocation, the fingertips of the robot hand send out a weak electrical impulse, and approaching objects interfere with that impulse, which allows the hand to form to the object before touching it.

The ultimate goal for Intel researchers is to give robots the sense of pre-touch, which they describe as having a range longer than touch, but shorter than vision (kinda vague, no?). Anyways, the video is worth watching, just to see the claw adjust to objects placed within its proximity.

6-Legged Walking Robot CoulYou A Superherod Make

manna — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:16:54 +0000

The itty-bitty creepy crawlers of the night have a way of scaring people so much. It might have something to do with their multiple squiggly legs, their sometimes fury bodies, and maybe even the fear that this particular attacking moth might be the only one worldwide with fangs. Whatever the reason, the fear of insects is one of the most common phobias.

Now imagine one of those insects made of metal and running full speed with all 6 legs aimed at trampling you. This is not your typical creepy crawler. This 6-legged spider-like robot has the potential to turn humans into an insectoid superhero. Iron Man, here we come.

This walking hybrid human-machine is powered by fluidic muscle actuators, which helps reduce the friction and fatigue while navigating the bot to your destination of destruction. The legs of the bot are controlled with the users legs. When the human user lifts their right leg, the bot lifts the appropriate legs needed for smooth movement.

This 6-Legged Walking Bot illustrates the possibility of the hybridization of humans and machines, sort of like some freaky Terminator setting for the future. Would you be able to deal with crazy gigantic insect robots walking along the streets? Eek. Spiders are gross. Spider robots on the other hand, are awesome.

ASIMO learns to understand three people at once

manna — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:59:53 +0000

ASIMO has already proven itself to be pretty multi-talented, but it looks like it’s now added yet another trick to its repertoire, with a pair of researchers giving it the ability to understand three people speaking at once. That was done with the aid of eight microphones and a specially-designed software program dubbed HARK, which works out where each voice is coming from and isolates it from other sounds. Right now, however, that’s only being used to referee games of rock-paper-scissors, with each individual shouting out their choice at once, but the researchers eventually hope to get ASIMO up to the level of humans’ ability to listen at a cocktail party, although they admit that is still a “long way” off.

WowWee Wrex the dog(robot dog)

manna — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:45:47 +0000

New MAARS Kill-Bot Delivered to Military, May Finally Get to Shoot Something

manna — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:16:06 +0000

You may recall that earlier robots developed by Foster-Miller had some minor safety issues in Iraq last year that reportedly shook up confidence in the entire kill-bot program. That story turned out to be a bit of an exaggeration, but it was clear that a newer, safer design would have to be implemented to get things back on track. To that end, Foster-Miller has delivered the 350-pound MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System), which they emphasize as being “human operated.”

The MAARS bot can be equipped with a 40mm grenade launcher or a M240B medium machine gun as well as a laser dazzler, loudspeaker, or pepper spray when killin’ ain’t in the cards. As far as safety is concerned, on-board software controls allow the robot’s driver to select fire and no-fire zones and a mechanical range fan keeps MAARS’ insatiable thirst for blood in check when it comes to friendly fire. Whether it wil be given permission to quench that thirst on the enemy remains to be seen

LEGO Johnny 5: Not QUITE Alive, But Still Pretty Damn Charming

manna — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:52:39 +0000

It would have been impressive if Johnny 5 were merely sculpted from LEGO bricks. But Brickshelf user rack911 did one better and created a Johnny 5 with fully working treads and a—we’ll call it partially functional—laser cannon. But appreciate the art carefully, dear reader. Johnny 5’s no-nonsense, wisecracking personality has been documented as a stronger pheromone than that of even the fabled Spanish fly. And licking an LCD may or may not cause electric shock.

Video: iPhone + LEGO robot = superfluous genius

manna — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:33:07 +0000

It’s not always a question of why – sometimes why not will suffice. The rolling bot above relies upon the Mindstorms NXT light sensor’s ability to read the contrasting colors on the iPhone display. After some simple programming and DIY tomfoolery you can drive the robot from the comforts of your WiFi-enabled web browser. Overkill? Oh hells yeah, but at least now your iPhone will serve a purpose after Monday. See how the kids at Battlebricks did it in the video after the break.